What is success?

The sun was shining on the glistening sand and in distance the waves looked like white horses, galloping in unison, and crowning all this was the most beautiful sunset.

A high profile businessman was on a visit there. Seeing a fisherman, reaching the shore in a small boat with the big catch of fish he asked, “Hey, how long did it take you to haul in that catch?” “Very little time Sir,” the villager replied. “Then what do you do with the rest of your time?” enquired the city man.

“Play with my kids, chat with my wife, stroll into the village, play the drums and go to bed soon.”

What is success?

The city man prompted by his MBA degree and copious achievements advised the illiterate villager thus, “you should spend more time fishing; with the additional income you could buy a bigger boat. As your income increases further you would be able to buy more boats. You will have an enterprising business, then. You will make millions.”

“What do I do after that?” enquired the unschooled villager.

“Well then you retire .Play with the kids, stroll into the village, play the drums and sleep early.”

“Ha! What else do you think I am doing right now, Sir!” exclaimed the fisherman half in a sneer.

Incidentally it is how you define success that changes your outlook in life. Success is someone who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent people, who has filled a unique niche and accomplished his/her task; who leaves the world better than before whether by a perfect poem or a rescued soul, who looked for the best in others and gave the best he/she had. For the enigma of success is simple if we realize the fact that it matters not what we have but who we are.

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